Kevin Schar Obituary

On Saturday, May 11th, Kevin Schar was suddenly taken from riding his motorcycle on the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California. Born in Elgin, IL, April 18, 1973, Kevin lived in Livonia, Michigan before moving to California with his family in 1979. He lived in Glendora, Rancho Palos Verdes, and finally settled in Thousand Oaks. Kevin attended Redwood Middle School, Thousand Oaks High School, Moorpark College, and graduated in 1996 from Fresno State University. As a Certified Athletic Trainer, he began working in Colorado Springs at a rehab facility then Fountain Valley School for 11 years. He has worked with USA Volleyball, USA Roller Sports, and other sports at the US Olympic Training Center. His jobs as an athletic trainer and tournament director/sport court supervisor for JVC took him all over the U.S. and to several foreign countries. Kevin traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and around the world for pleasure as well, making hundreds of friends along the way. His yearly destination was always Zimbabwe, where he not only visited family, but developed a love for the African bush. He loved "living on the edge" and his photo safaris are well documented, and the stories are legendary. Kevin, known by some as the "honorary mayor" of the Springs, always enjoyed coming home to Colorado after a trip. He could go almost anywhere, any time for a drink, a meal, a show, to golf, to shoot, to bike, to zumba, or just hang out and would always run into people who enjoyed spending time with him. The positive impact Kevin had on so many lives can never be fully appreciated. He was the best of friends and family to so many lives he touched. Kevin was known by his friends as one who lived life to the fullest extent. He loved God, family, friends, adventures, photography, motorcycling, the African bush, hunting, diving (even with sharks), and helping people. Surviving cancer in 1994 gave him an extraordinary love of life and he shared it with all he met. He was adored by his seven nieces and nephews: Micaela, Rachel, Caleb, Tyler, Kelsey, Corey and Alysen; and Kevin always made it a priority to share his love with all of them. He is survived by his father, Dan Schar, of Newbury Park; mother, Irma Schar of Kadoma, Zimbabwe; sister, Shelley Croudace, Kadoma, Zimbabwe; and brother, Nathan Schar of Modesto. A celebration of Kevin's life will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 3:00 pm at Blondie's Ultra Lounge 20 N Tejon St Colorado Springs, Colorado. A memorial service for Kevin will be held on Friday, May 24th at 11:00 am at the Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kevin's sister's non-profit organization. Lasting Impressions, founded in 1996, focuses on equipping the youth of Zimbabwe with environmental education, leadership training, and life skills courses. The organization's web site is www.lasting-impressions.org